An SEC filing (Form 20-F) made by Finish based handset manufacturer Nokia shows the concern that the company has about the possibility of it having to face Microsoft as a rival in the mobile phone business. Of course, Microsoft's mobile OS Windows Phone 8 is the software that drives Nokia's phones, which means that if Microsoft starts focusing on its own Microsoft Surface phone, it probably would stop taking the time to improve Windows Phone for Nokia's line, and for other handset manufacturers that make Windows Phone powered devices. What makes a possible Microsoft Surface phone all the more worrisome for Nokia is that unlike other handset manufacturers that produce Windows Phone models, Nokia is largely dependent on the OS. For example, if a Microsoft Surface model were to, well, surface, HTC could just concentrate on Android as could Samsung, Huawei and others.Last October, pictures allegedly of a Microsoft Surface protoype leaked. The handset prototypes, codenamed Juggernaut Alpha, … [Read more...] about Nokia’s SEC filing reveals manufacturer’s worry over possible Microsoft Surface phone

While Microsoft is still working on Lumia branded handsets, the company is rumored to be looking at expanding the popularity of its Surface brand by developing a Microsoft Surface Phone. It's quite a turnaround from a marketing standpoint considering that just before the Surface Pro 3 became a rousing success, the Microsoft Surface brand was not connecting with tablet buyers.The Microsoft Surface handset is reportedly in the prototype stage and is known as the "Juggernaut Alpha." That happens to be a code name that dates back to 2012, in reference to an earlier Surface phone being developed by Microsoft. According to a report published today, the new Surface phone is being scheduled for an early 2016 release, as Microsoft is still working on the unannounced Microsoft Lumia 950 and Microsoft Lumia 950 XL.The Microsoft Surface phone is rumored to feature a Gorilla Glass 4 protected 5.5-inch Clearback AMOLED display, with a 1440 x 2560 resolution. An Intel Atom X3 SoC powers the phone, … [Read more...] about Rumor: Microsoft Surface phone scheduled for early 2016 release; check out the specs

Talk of Microsoft's Surface Phone has been on-off for the past few years. Redmond's struggles in the smartphone arena have been well documented, and it remains to be seen whether the rumors of an assault on the high-end handset market will ever materialize. Given Windows Mobile's current status as a very distant third to Android and iOS, it'll surely take a humdinger of a device to convince consumers that the platform is worth a look in, and a new concept once again imagines what a Surface Phone might look like. The Surface tablet line has been a success for Microsoft, but does little to offset the smartphone failings of the Windows maker. A Surface Phone would, if anything like the concepts we've seen, force people to stand up and take notice. The latest effort by Polish designer Bartlomiej Tarnowski is rather different from previous Surface Phone visuals, but sticks with the script of Type Cover and Surface Pen peripherals.Surface Pen would place the Surface Phone up against the … [Read more...] about Microsoft Surface Phone concept sports a 6-inch display and elegant design